THE QUEENSLAND FLORA. 



Class I. DICOTYLEDONS. 



Stem, when perennial, consisting of a pith in the centre, of one or more 

 concentric circles of woody tissue, and of the bark on the outside. Embryo with 

 two cotyledons, the young stem in germination proceeding from between the two 

 lobes of the embryo or from a notch at its summit. 



The above characters ore the most constant to separate Dicotyledons from Monocotyledons ; 

 these two great classes have, however, each a peculiar habit, which in most cases is easily recog- 

 nised. All Queensland trees and shrubs, except Palmn, a few Ferns, and Bamboos, and a few 

 others with linear grass-like leaves, are Dicotyledons ; so also are almost all plants with opposite, 

 or whorled, or netted-veined leaves, or with the parts of the flower in fours, fives, or eights, or 

 with indefinite stamens, all these characters being very rare in Monocotyledons. Benth. Fl. 

 Austr. 



(The following short ordinal characters given are not absolute, nor without exception, and are 

 inserted for the purpose of calling attention to one or two of the most striking or most important 

 features of each Order.) Benth. I. c. 



SUBCLASS I. POLYPETAL^. 



Petals several, distinct (wanting in a few genera, very rarely united). 



Series I. ThalamiplokjE. — Torus small or elongated, rarely expanded into a 

 disk. Ovary superior. Stamens definite or more frequently indefinite. 



Alliance (Cohors) Z. Xtanales. — Stamens indefinite, or if definite, opposite the petals. 

 Carpels distinct or united at the base only, superior, or rarely enclosed in a fleshy torus. Embryo 

 small, in fleshy albumen. 



(Carpels united in Bvpomatia and Nymphcea. Embryo large, without albumen in some 

 Menispermacea and in Nelumbium.) 



I. Bandncdlace,e. Herbs with radical or alternate leaves, or climbers with opposite leaves. 

 No stipules. Sepals usually coloured and deciduous. Petals in a single series or none. Stamens 

 indefinite. No arillus. 



II. DiLLENiACE^. Trees, shrubs, or undershrubs with alternate leaves. No stipules. Sepals 

 usually herbaceous and persistent. Petals in a single series. Stamens usually indefinite. Seeds 

 with an arillus or strophiola. 



III. Maqnoliace^. Shrubs or trees, with alternate leaves. Petals indefinite. Stamens 

 indefinite. No arillus. (Calyx entire in the bud, irregularly split.) 



IV. Anonaoejb. Shrubs, trees, or woody climbers, with alternate leaves. No stipules. 

 Sepals 3. Petals in two series of 3 each (excepting Eupomatia, where sepals and petals are 

 combined in a mass). Stamens indefinite. Carpels indefinite. Albumen ruminate. 



V. Menisfebmage^. Twiners, with alternate leaves. No stipules. Flowers small, dicecious. 

 Sepals in 2 or more series of 3 or 2 each. Petals smaller than the inner sepals, or none. 

 Stamens definite opposite the petals. Carpels 6 or fewer. 



VI. Nymfh£ace^. Aquatic herbs. Leaves usually peltate. Sepals or petals indefinite, or 

 rarely in threes. Stamens indefinite. Carpels free or united, the ovules not in the inner angle. 



